3 Marines Killed in Dana Point Crash
Fourth Marine in critical condition at hospital in Mission Viejo
By Lauren Steussy, Olsen Ebright, Vikki Vargas and Yvonne Beltzer
| Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 | Updated 4:22 PM PDT
KNBC-TV
A car carrying four Pendleton Marines crashed into a tree in Dana Point at 2 a.m. Tuesday. Three marines died. Investigators are citing speed and perhaps, something else.
Three U.S. Marines were killed and a fourth was injured in a crash near Dana Point early Tuesday morning, according to police.
An officer at the scene confirmed the victims were based at Camp Pendleton.
The crash happened on Gold Lantern Street at about 2 a.m., according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The Marines' Dodge Stratus hit a tree at a high rate of speed, authorities said.
"We are looking into whether alcohol was a factor," Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said, adding that the unsafe speed and rain-slick road likely contributed to the crash.
The servicemen were all in their early 20s, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone. The names of the victims were not immediately released.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the Marines involved," a spokesperson with Camp Pendleton said.
The force of the impact was evident at the crash scene, where pieces of glass and debris remained embedded in a palm tree.
"I was sound asleep and I heard what sounded like a concussion, a bang, and I wasn't sure if I was dreaming so I opened the blinds and had to check it out," said Tim James who heard the accident.
The two Marines in the back seat of the car were killed instantly, according to paramedics. Rescue workers spent at least 20 minutes using the Jaws of Life to cut the driver and the passenger free from the wreckage.
The passenger made it to the hospital, but he died there.
The driver was taken to a hospital in Mission Viejo. He is in critical condition, according to a statement from the base.
Marine Chris Hilborn, who recently finished his last tour, came by the collision scene to pay his respects. He left a hat with the Marine Corps emblem on it, and said it was not important how the accident happened.
"It doesn't make a difference. Once a Marine, always a Marine. That's what we stand by," he said.
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA
